May 05, 2008
Stacking the decks at PERB and other costly tales
Perhaps the most underreported labor story is Governor Paterson's nomination of labor attorney Rosemary Queenan to serve on the Public Employment Relations Board, which settles collective bargaining disputes between public employee unions and the state and local governments.
As the New York Post notes in an editorial two other members have have union ties, Queenan was in-house lawyer for the Patrolmen's Benevolent Association from 2001 to 2007. "Queenan would make it unanimous. How fair is that?" the editorial asks. "Couldn't Paterson give at least one seat to someone who'd look out for Joe and Jane Taxpayer?"
PERB rulings may wind up tilting even further in favor of unions - at taxpayer expense. The panel, for example, may OK higher pay and perks for public workers, straining already squeezed budgets not just in Albany, but in Gotham - and jurisdictions from Buffalo to Montauk.
Queenan's nomination must be approved by the Republican-controlled state Senate.
Talking about already squeezed budgets, kudos to reporters from Long Island to Buffalo for a spate of stories on how cushy benefits for public employees. |
